What is mya?
About Us
Our Vision
For the sacred tradition of Islam to resonate and thrive in the Australian context.
Our Mission
Provide youth with guidance, tools and support networks to serve their families, communities and humanity at large
Foster an Australian Muslim culture which resonates with those living here while staying true to Islamic principles
Guide youth to become healthy, whole and equipped to embody Islam at the highest level
How are we different?
We rely on guidance from credible scholars and societal figures to achieve our goals. Our mentors are experienced and understand the nuances of practicing Islam in Australia.
While we consult our elders, our organization is youth-led to better resonate with and empower young people to address issues impacting them.
We aim to practice traditional Islam in the Australian context, adapting classical principles to resonate with contemporary society while staying true to our tradition.
Our Mentors
Sh Abdul Hadi Shah-Idil
Shariah Advisor
Shaykh Abdul Hadi is an instructor of Hanafi Fiqh at Daar Ibn Abbas and a lecturer of classical Arabic at Charles Sturt University.
He holds a Masters in Hanafi Fiqh and Legal Methodology under the tutelage of Dr. Salah Abulhajj and is qualified to provide Fiqh advice as per the Hanafi school.
After receiving a university medal and graduating with First Class Honours in Economics from the University of New South Wales, Shaykh Abdul Hadi left in 2010 to study Arabic at the Qasid Institute in Jordan. During this period, he also furthered his learning of Arabic morphology and syntax under the tutelage of Shaykh Ali Hani and Shaykh Rajab Mutambay, and studied traditional Islamic sciences including Islamic law (fiqh), theology (aqidah), and Qur’anic exegesis (tafsir) with Jordanian scholars.
Since returning to Australia in 2012, Shaykh Abdul Hadi has continued his studies, particularly in Hanafi Fiqh under the guidance of Dr. Salah Abulhajj and Hadith methodology (mustalah) with Shaykh Abdul Moez Nafti. He has also taught at various institutions, including Daar Ibn Abbas and ISRA Academy.
Dr. Samir Mahmoud
Education Advisor
Dr. Samir is Academic Director of Usul Academy, and Lecturer on the Diploma in Islamic Psychology at the Cambridge Muslim College.
He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from esteemed Ivy League institutions such as Cambridge, Oxford, and MIT complemented with extensive expertise in traditional Islamic studies.
Dr Samir has a BA (Hons) in Anthropology & Politics with a focus on multicultural theory and comparative religion, and an MA in Architectural History, Theory & Urban Design with a focus on the traditional townscape from the University of New South Wales, Sydney Australia. He also holds an MPhil in Theology & Religious Studies with a focus on comparative philosophy and aesthetics. He completed a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Cambridge under the supervision of Dr. Timothy Winter (Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad).
Alongside his academic studies, Dr Samir has pursued knowledge of the Islamic sciences under traditional scholars, particularly in Tripoli, Lebanon.
Ust Sahar Dandan
Organisation Advisor
Ustadah Sahar is the CEO of Greendale Garden Cemetery and works as a project specialist, leveraging her experience in organisational development and project management to support companies in establishing effective governance and policy frameworks, systems, processes, and strategic plans.
She also teaches Islamic texts privately and was a student of the well-known Mauritanian scholar, Murabit al Hajj.
Ustadah Sahar holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Hons) and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Sydney. Her engineering background includes over a decade of experience in leading engineering teams in sectors such as industrial gases and food manufacturing. In her professional journey, she brought her experience in project management and organisational development to various sectors, including corporate, community, and not-for-profit organisations. Her commitment to environmental sustainability led her to complete a Permaculture Design Course with Bill Mollison and Geoff Lawton, and she has actively contributed to permaculture projects within the Sydney community. Her philanthropic efforts include founding Foundations for Tomorrow, which provided humanitarian aid to West Africa with a focus on sustainable initiatives, and GoActive, a pioneering sports, health, and education program for diverse women.
Beginning her Shariah studies in Lebanon, Ustadah Sahar furthered her education under the guidance of prominent Maliki scholars abroad, studying in Mauritania with esteemed figures such as Murabit al Hajj bin Fahfou, Shaykha Maryam bint Bwayba, and Murabit Muhammad Al-Amin bin al-Shaykh – May God have mercy on all of them.
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